Last year I was on a bus driving through Mayo on my way to walk up Croagh Patrick and I was struck by just how different it is to Kilkenny, and how beautiful it is. Stone walls and beef in the fields. At last week’s Irish Farmers Journal Beef Summit in Ballinasloe, anger in the room about the unviability of the sector at current prices was palpable. Professor Michael Wallace from UCD’s School of Agriculture was the first guest speaker on the night and his talk focused on the role of the suckler cow in the Irish economy.
Professor Michael Wallace from UCD speaking at the Irish Farmers Journal Beef Summit. \ Dave Ruffles
Michael said that there was a much wider impact of the suckler cow in rural Ireland than simply the price paid to the farmer, in terms of its contribution to communities. This value is highly embedded in local rural economies as farmers spend locally in merchants, vets, marts, hiring contractors and generally living their lives. He gave a specific example for Galway, as that is where we were, that sucklers in that county may support direct and overhead expenditure of circa €130m.
Another massive and crucial factor is the preservation of the social and cultural fabric of Irish rural communities
But there are also other considerable benefits that align with the preservation of the suckler industry, a large percentage of which is produced in economically disadvantaged areas. These include the maintenance of the landscape and the environmental positives that come with that. Another massive and crucial factor is the preservation of the social and cultural fabric of Irish rural communities. Minister Creed in his address at the summit said: “Farm families should consider whether there is scope for an alternative farm enterprise to co-exist with the beef enterprise, whether that is agro-forestry, dairy calf rearing or a tourist enterprise.”
Tourism was worth €6.1bn to the economy in 2018 and although this isn’t an option for a lot of people, there are opportunities. You often hear people say, “This would be the best country in the world if it wasn’t for the weather”. Yes, we have that to contend with but it doesn’t stop millions of tourists (11.2 million in 2018, a 6% increase on 2017) coming here every year to see this fabulous little island of ours. There is an endless array of things to do and places to stay and Fáilte Ireland are this year focusing their attention on our food with the launch this September of their Taste the Island campaign.
Taste the Island Fáilte Ireland Travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile, Fáilte Ireland's food tourism, strategy and programmes manager Tracey Coughlan and Paul Keeley, director of commercial development.
We holiday at home a good bit ourselves with 59% of the population taking a holiday in Ireland in 2018 and reporting a 97% satisfaction rating with the experience, according to Fáilte Ireland. In a small country like our own, where you can drive from tip to tip in less than a day, the options are endless and easy to access. Most popular choices are our places of cultural interest but hiking up mountains and dipping your toes in the water rate highly amongst those who favour a staycation. And in this week’s paper our Irish Country Living team are showcasing different staycations and doing it in their own inimitable ways. From quirky renovations with Maria to the more traditional hotel breaks with Ciara. Get off the big island and onto the little islands with Anne and for the sporty amongst you, Tracey has a list of activities that will appeal. We have something to suit all tastes for holidaying in Ireland so pick something out and maybe try a staycation this year.
Read more
Always plenty of difficult conversations to be had in farming
Yes we are living longer but should we work longer too?
Last year I was on a bus driving through Mayo on my way to walk up Croagh Patrick and I was struck by just how different it is to Kilkenny, and how beautiful it is. Stone walls and beef in the fields. At last week’s Irish Farmers Journal Beef Summit in Ballinasloe, anger in the room about the unviability of the sector at current prices was palpable. Professor Michael Wallace from UCD’s School of Agriculture was the first guest speaker on the night and his talk focused on the role of the suckler cow in the Irish economy.
Professor Michael Wallace from UCD speaking at the Irish Farmers Journal Beef Summit. \ Dave Ruffles
Michael said that there was a much wider impact of the suckler cow in rural Ireland than simply the price paid to the farmer, in terms of its contribution to communities. This value is highly embedded in local rural economies as farmers spend locally in merchants, vets, marts, hiring contractors and generally living their lives. He gave a specific example for Galway, as that is where we were, that sucklers in that county may support direct and overhead expenditure of circa €130m.
Another massive and crucial factor is the preservation of the social and cultural fabric of Irish rural communities
But there are also other considerable benefits that align with the preservation of the suckler industry, a large percentage of which is produced in economically disadvantaged areas. These include the maintenance of the landscape and the environmental positives that come with that. Another massive and crucial factor is the preservation of the social and cultural fabric of Irish rural communities. Minister Creed in his address at the summit said: “Farm families should consider whether there is scope for an alternative farm enterprise to co-exist with the beef enterprise, whether that is agro-forestry, dairy calf rearing or a tourist enterprise.”
Tourism was worth €6.1bn to the economy in 2018 and although this isn’t an option for a lot of people, there are opportunities. You often hear people say, “This would be the best country in the world if it wasn’t for the weather”. Yes, we have that to contend with but it doesn’t stop millions of tourists (11.2 million in 2018, a 6% increase on 2017) coming here every year to see this fabulous little island of ours. There is an endless array of things to do and places to stay and Fáilte Ireland are this year focusing their attention on our food with the launch this September of their Taste the Island campaign.
Taste the Island Fáilte Ireland Travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile, Fáilte Ireland's food tourism, strategy and programmes manager Tracey Coughlan and Paul Keeley, director of commercial development.
We holiday at home a good bit ourselves with 59% of the population taking a holiday in Ireland in 2018 and reporting a 97% satisfaction rating with the experience, according to Fáilte Ireland. In a small country like our own, where you can drive from tip to tip in less than a day, the options are endless and easy to access. Most popular choices are our places of cultural interest but hiking up mountains and dipping your toes in the water rate highly amongst those who favour a staycation. And in this week’s paper our Irish Country Living team are showcasing different staycations and doing it in their own inimitable ways. From quirky renovations with Maria to the more traditional hotel breaks with Ciara. Get off the big island and onto the little islands with Anne and for the sporty amongst you, Tracey has a list of activities that will appeal. We have something to suit all tastes for holidaying in Ireland so pick something out and maybe try a staycation this year.
Read more
Always plenty of difficult conversations to be had in farming
Yes we are living longer but should we work longer too?
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